Oriented polymer composition with a deoriented surface layer
AssigneeEovations, LLC
InventorsJames J. O'Brien, Timothy O. Kirch, Kevin L. Nichols, Brett M. Birchmeier
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Abstract
Prepare an oriented polymer composition that is cavitated, has cross sectional dimensions all at least three millimeters and at least one de-oriented surface layer having a thickness of at least 80 microns and at least 50 microns less than half the thickness of the oriented polymer composition, the de-oriented surface layer having a lower degree of polymer orientation than a 100 micron thick portion of the oriented polymer composition adjacent to and below the de-oriented surface layer by sufficiently heat treating a surface of a cavitated oriented polymer composition.
Claims10
A process for preparing an oriented polymer composition having a softening temperature and a de-oriented surface layer, both the oriented polymer composition and de-oriented surface layer having a thickness, the process comprising:
- (a) providing a cavitated oriented polymer composition comprising a continuous oriented polymer phase and having at least one surface comprising oriented polymers and having cross sectional dimensions all exceeding three millimeters;
- and
- (b) heating at least one surface of the oriented polymer composition above its softening temperature thereby de-orienting the polymers proximate to the surface to create a de-oriented surface layer that has a thickness of 80 microns or more and at least 50 microns less than half the thickness of the oriented polymer composition, the de-oriented surface layer characterized by having a lower degree of polymer orientation than a 100 micron thick portion of the oriented polymer composition adjacent to the de-oriented layer and more proximate to the center of the oriented polymer composition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.